The New York Jets ended up making eight selections in the 2026 NFL Draft. Four of those picks occurred in the top 50. Arguably the best value selection made by general manager Darren Mougey was former Indiana cornerback D’Angelo Ponds at No. 50 overall.

The Jets’ struggles in the secondary were well documented throughout last season. They became the first NFL defense in league history to conclude the campaign without recording a single interception. Ponds should have an immense and immediate impact on the defensive backfield.

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Ponds primarily played boundary cornerback for the National Championship winning Hoosiers. Despite that, he projects as a nickel cornerback at the next level due to size deficiencies. Ponds measured in at the NFL Combine at 5-foot-8 and 182 pounds with 29-inch arms. That’s nickel-only size.

Ponds should still have a profound impact on Aaron Glenn’s revamped secondary. The Miami, Florida native led the team with 10 pass breakups in 2025. A natural playmaker, Ponds was named Defensive MVP of both the Peach Bowl and Rose Bowl. In total, he registered 61 tackles and two interceptions.

Ponds possesses the coverage instincts and competitiveness to improve this Jets secondary. His football acumen is something Glenn’s defense lacked last season. Expect Ponds to be a big-time playmaker for the Jets in 2026.

This article originally appeared on Jets Wire: D’Angelo Ponds will have massive impact on Jets’ secondary